headaches with black spots in vision and shooting pain just above eye

[crystal050203]

I had my post in the forum for members helping each other, just in case someone else has experienced the same thing, but had no luck.  Not a single reply.  My appointment is tomorrow.  So, I figure, in case any of you have time to get to it or if they have no luck again, maybe I will have some idea of what to go on.  So I just copied and pasted my other post, so if it does not apply, like changing the appointment, just overlook it.  Here goes:
I guess I should start with the fact that I have been getting migraine headaches since I was about 17.  A few years ago, they finally got them controlled to the point I would only get a few a year.  Also, I see a chiropractor, if my neck gets misaligned for to long, it will cause tension headaches.  So that brings me to what ever is going on now.  A few months ago, I started getting a different type of headache.  It is kind of close to what the migraines are like, yet different at the same time.  Like being light sensitive, with these, sometimes I am, sometimes not, migraines-always.  Sound sensitive for both!  The location changed completely.  From the front of my head (forehead area), the right side.  If I put my palm above my ear, it covers the area almost exactly!  I will get sharp pains that got from that area to the right side base of my skull and to the top of my right eye, more of them to my eye though.  It causes a pressure like feeling behind my eye that makes it feel like it is going to pop right out of my head.  If I shut my eye and put pressure where the pain shoots to it helps, as it causes it to throb severely.  Of course, like any pain (especially headaches) laying down in a dark quiet room always helps take the edge off, but with 3 boys, not always possible. On top of the pain, about a month after these headaches started, in that eye only, I started seeing black spots or blobs.  They started out as dots, but have grown to where when they show up, sometimes they cover over half of the vision in that eye.  At first I blew it of as stress, as I was helping my friend plan her wedding, but 2 weeks after and still getting them, I went to the doctor.  Not any doctor, my neurologist, same day I also had eye exam, new glasses, including sunglasses (prescription).  Doctor switched me from Zomig to Indomethacin, had me back in 5 days.  Although I had slight relief from the new pills, he took me off (said no more than 5 days at a time) and increased my Topamax.  I was doing fine for about 3 days.  That was it.  I am scheduled to go back at the end of the month for a one month check up, but this is not only affecting everyday life, on top of being painful, I am literally afraid to drive when like this.  I know what you are thinking, but when you have 3 boys all in school and they "DO NOT QUALIFY" to ride the bus to school because you live to close.  I have no choice.  I can not make them walk almost 2 miles when it is -23F (without wind chill factor) but there is no one else to drive them.  My b/f drives otr, so he is not always here.  So, last they were 2 hours late for school, until I could find a ride for them, because for some reason the spot/blob just did not want to go away.  The only time I get that when I don't have a headache is just before getting one.  And laying down to try to prevent, does not work.  So anyway, the shooting pain and spots/blobs are new and/or different.  I don't know if I should worry more about what is going on or if one of these are going to show up while I am trying to get to where I need to go, because that could put everyone else in danger.  Well, I guess if I closed my eye.....  But the point, I don't want to have to close my eye or wear a patch to drive.  If I must, I will, but, well, you know.  Does anyone have any idea of what I should expect when I go back to the doctor?  Any questions I should ask?  Any tests I should suggest?  Should I leave my appointment or listen to family and see about moving it up closer, he is so busy, I don't want to mess up his schedule, but if it might be serious, then I would.  So, I am open for all of the advice and suggestions everyone can help with!!!  Thank You all so much!!!

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for posting and apologies for late reply.
Your symptoms are most likely due to migraine. It is important to do a MRI or CT scan of brain to rule out other neurological causes for your symptoms.
I would suggest you to try magnesium supplements as they have shown good response in preventing migraine headaches.
Avoid the well known migraine triggers like red wine, caffeine, aged cheese, processed meats, MSG and artificial sweeteners. Also learn some self relaxation techniques like meditation and breathing exercises to keep you relaxed.
Let us know how you are doing. Take care!

[selmaS]

hi...sorry noone had any insight for u.....I would see the dr and be open to his suggustions....he may want to do MRI's and blood work.....there r so many different conditions that have similar symptoms it is hard to speculate.

labs should check vitamin D, B12 levels as well as calcium, potassium and magnessium.....and ur thyroid.

other tests he may choose r lymes, lupus, MS.....just to narrow the field and rule things out.

Please post after ur appoint !!

Good luck
Godspeed
"selma"